Report: USC Set to Hire Washington's Jennifer Cohen as The School's New AD

Cohen brings plenty of experience to the table

When it comes to the USC Athletic Department, there's never a dull day. 

Earlier on Monday morning, The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach tweeted out a rather ominous message regarding an impending 1:00 p.m. meeting at Heritage Hall: 

USC announces it will have a 1pm PT (4pm ET) news conference for a "special announcement regarding USC Athletics."

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) August 21, 2023

Rumors were swirling as to what the news would be. As the old adage goes, it won't take long for the media cycle to uncover these 'secrets' before they're exposed for all to digest. 

As such, Pete Thamel of ESPN broke the news that USC would be reportedly hiring Washington's Jennifer Cohen as the program's new Athletic Director: 

According to Thamel and other reports, USC is bringing on UW's Jennifer Cohen to lead the Trojans into the Big Ten. From all accounts, Cohen is very well-respected within AD circles. https://t.co/ZnlpwClcXw

— Jason Fray (@jasonfrayLA) August 21, 2023

There was mass speculation as to where USC president Carol Folt would turn to next. In the wake of the impending move to the Big Ten, former AD Mike Bohn resigned this past May after less than four years on the job. 

Some reports indicated that there were various issues with the way Bohn ran things. As such, the two parties went their separate ways -- thus allowing Folt to turn elsewhere for the new leader of her Athletic Department.  

"Washington's Jen Cohen is one of the most qualified AD Candidates USC could've landed. She has some Southern California roots from her days as a San Diego State student before rising up the ranks at Washington."

-

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic (

per his tweet

)

Cohen does have some Southern California Roots. The 53-year-old graduated from San Diego State in 1991. She also has grown up her entire life on the West Coast -- which makes her a cultural fit. 

In 2016, she officially became the Athletic Director at Washington. According to The Athletic, Cohen "is charismatic and would seem to have the personality that could shine in Los Angeles."

Many of the programs in Seattle under her stewardship have been thriving. Cohen, most notably, was also responsible for hiring Kalen DeBoer as Washington's head football coach (poaching him from Fresno State). 

If Lincoln Riley were to leave for an NFL gig, Cohen clearly has the track record to find a credible replacement.